The School of Greatness with Lewis Howes

TRANSFORMATION IS A ROLLER COASTER. It’s that time a year where a lot of us commit to making changes in our lives. But sticking with resolutions is hard. Very few of us are consistently committed to ourselves. It is not easy. We have to think of new habits like a roller coaster. We’re building momentum to making the change. But then the roller coaster goes down. The dip is normal. When you’re feeling low, you have to know that you will climb back up. You have the forward motion to make it happen. To talk about this journey of transformation, I wanted to share a special presentation and Q+A from this year’s Summit of Greatness with an inspirational icon: Shaun T. Shaun T is a world-renowned health and fitness expert, TV host, motivator and creator of the best-selling fitness programs INSANITY, HIP HOP ABS, FOCUS T25, INSANITY MAX:30, CIZE and newly released SHAUN WEEK. He has hosted several primetime TV series and shared the stage with Adam Lambert and Val Kilmer in the musical version of the Ten Commandments,

DO THE UNEXPECTED. Do you go the easy route? The expected route? Or do you find your own path that compliments your unique passions? Finding your own way takes inner strength. You won’t be able to do it without believing in yourself. It takes a special person to defy expectations and break into a new field. People will doubt you when you do something unexpected. That’s a given. It’s how you respond when people try to dissuade you will determine if you’re successful or not. On today’s episode of The School of Greatness, I talk with an unlikely zookeeper who is known online as The Real Tarzann: Mike Holston. Mike Holsten is a 24 year-old zookeeper at Mario Tabrue’s Zoological Wildlife Foundation. He recently did a collaboration with Will Smith and has over four million followers on Instagram. Mike says that working hard, believing in yourself, and prayer will help you be successful against any odds. So get ready to learn how The Real Tarzann came to be on Episode 724. Some Questions I Ask: How many animals do y

“You have a right to your actions, but never to your actions’ fruits.” - Bhagavad Gita It’s a time of year where we focus on giving. We give gifts, we give back to our communities, and we give to charities. So what does it mean to give? And why is it important? Giving is not just a nice thing to do, it’s critical to your wellbeing. We are all connected- the more you give to others, the more you help yourself. For this Five Minute Friday, I revisited an amazing conversation I had with Russell Simons where he shared how the practice of giving has made him incredibly prosperous. Russell Simmons is an American entrepreneur, record producer, yogi, and author. He co-founded Def Jam Recordings and created the fashion lines Phat Farm, Argyleculture, and Tantris. He is also the founder of Rush Communications. Russell is one of the richest men in Hip Hop, but he didn’t get there by hoarding all of his wealth. He’s learned that the more he makes the world better, the more his own world is improved. He makes the point th

WHAT STORY ARE YOU TELLING YOURSELF? Whatever it is, you’re creating a self-fulfilling prophecy. You’re projecting your story onto everyone around you without even realizing it. That’s why mentalists are so successful- they suggest a story to you that you accept as true. Whatever your way of thinking, it doesn’t have to stay that way. You can be free of your own story. On today’s episode of The School of Greatness, I talk with someone who changed his own way of thinking to become an incredible illusionist and mentalist: Derren Brown. Derren Brown uses magic, suggestion, psychology, misdirection and showmanship to create series and specials on stage and television. He’s won two Laurence Olivier Awards for Best Entertainment and has also written books for magicians as well as the general public. He doesn’t use his skills to deceive others for his own benefit. Instead, his acts are often designed to expose the methods of faith healers and mediums. So get ready to learn why humans are so easily persuaded on Episo

TAKING CARE OF MENTAL HEALTH IS POWERFUL, NOT WEAK. It’s time to open up. No matter what you’re dealing with, you’re not alone. There is nothing shameful about having anxiety. Think about this acronym for FEAR- you either Fear Everything And Run or Face Everything And Rise. The more you confront the things in your past you don’t want to do with, the more you’ll be able to move forward. So, are you going to run from your fear, or face it? On today’s episode of The School of Greatness, I talk about anxiety and PTSD with a man who has become an unofficial mental health advocate: Charlamagne the God. New York Times Best-Selling Author Charlamagne Tha God is best known for being co-host of the nationally syndicated hip-hop iHeartRadio program The Breakfast Club. He is also a social media influencer; an executive producer with his own production company, CThaGod World; and co-host of the popular podcast Brilliant Idiots. Charlamagne says that refining his life’s mission and examining his past helped him take contro

EMPOWER OTHERS TO SHINE. How often to tell the people around you what you love about them? Sometimes it feels easier to criticize. But this isn’t the path to creating an amazing team. Even if it’s uncomfortable to tell people what they’re doing right, it’s important. Like everything else, it’s a practice. Practice acknowledging others, and own the acknowledgment given to you. You’ll be amazed by how it changes your life. For this Five Minute Friday, I revisited a conversation I had with Chris Lee where he shared his strategies for empowering the people around you to shine by acknowledging their greatness. Chris Lee has spent the last 27 years leading powerful Leadership Seminars around the world. A pioneer in emotional intelligence, Chris Lee has trained and developed people at the top of their game such as Olympic athletes, Fortune 500 Business leaders, celebrities and individuals with a desire to elevate themselves. Chris Lee also serves as a collaborator on TV and radio shows for Univision and The Fox Netw

TRUE SELF-LOVE IS THE KEY TO LIFE. Are you insecure and in resistance to yourself? It’s such an exhausting way to live. Instead of feelings of self-hatred, start to view everything you don’t like about yourself as a gift. Why? Because once you start to love yourself, you can begin to love others. It sounds like a cliche. But it’s the truth. Self-love is a truly powerful practice. When we start to work on our inside, the outside starts to fix itself. On today’s episode of The School of Greatness, I talk with someone who has dealt with stardom from a young age and is learning to love herself fully: LeAnn Rimes. LeAnn Rimes is a Grammy award-winning singer, songwriter, actress and author. Rimes rose to stardom at age 13 following the release of her version of the Bill Mack song “Blue.” Her hit song “How Do I Live” was ranked as the most successful song of the 1990s by Billboard magazine. LeAnn has gone through a very public divorce and has opened up about her struggle with psoriasis and dental problems. She talk

HUMAN CONNECTION IS THE MOST POWERFUL. We have thousands of “friends” on social media. But how many people could you actually call in a time of need? Technology is becoming a larger and larger part of our life, but it’s causing us to be more isolated. We have to work hard to continue to build actual human connections. Otherwise, life has no meaning. On today’s episode of The School of Greatness, I talk about all the ways that technology is affecting us in the workplace with a friend who has done tons of research on the subject: Dan Schawbel. Dan Schawbel is a New York Times bestselling author, serial entrepreneur, Fortune 500 consultant, TV personality, keynote speaker, career and workplace expert & startup advisor. His mission in life is to support his generation from student to CEO. Dan says that we have to use technology to create more face-to-face interactions. The more people form relationships at work, the more collaborative and happy they will be. So get ready to learn how to create more connection

YOUR NEED FOR CONTROL CAN HURT YOU INSTEAD OF HELP YOU. A mental disorder is like an unhealthy relationship. You have to love yourself enough to know that you deserve better. Otherwise, you’re depriving yourself of living a full, abundant life. But it’s not easy. Admitting that you or someone you know is struggling with an eating or mental disorder is scary. That’s why, for this Five Minute Friday, I brought back a powerful conversation I had with Lindsey Stirling where she shared her journey to overcome her eating disorder. Linsey Stirling is an American violinist, dancer, performance artist, and composer. She presents choreographed violin performances, both live and in music videos found on her YouTube channel, which has over 11 million subscribers. Lindsey’s memoir The Only Pirate At The Party is a New York Times bestseller. She has been named in Forbes magazine's 30 Under 30 In Music: The Class Of 2015 and was a quarter-finalist in America’s Got Talent Season 5. Lindsey says that she combatted her disorde

GET IN TOUCH WITH YOUR SUPERPOWERS. All of us have superpowers. They are the things that come easily to us. You have to find your superpower and then use it to change the world. Why is it so important? Because once you are coming from a place of passion, the rest will follow. People who lead with a desire for money or fame won’t have the same impact. It’s all about your intention. On today’s episode of The School of Greatness, I talk with an amazing entrepreneur and mother who has honed in on her superpowers and helps others find theirs: Rebekah Neumann. Rebekah Neumann is a founding partner and Chief Brand Officer at WeWork, where she has directed the company’s mission, values, and culture from its inception. As an artist, entrepreneur, and yogi, Neumann has also worked as an equity trader for Solomon Smith Barnet, gained certification as a Jivamukti yoga teacher and acted in and produced a number of film projects. Neumann majored in Business and studied Buddhism at Cornell University. Mother to five childre

CHOOSE THE PATH OF MOST RESISTANCE. Do you avoid challenging yourself? If you do, you’re cheating yourself of reaching your full potential. There is so much you can learn through pain. But we want to avoid it. We want to stay in our comfort zone. Growth, though, is found in the discomfort zone. You have to have the courage to face sickness, disappointment, and discomfort. That’s why I’m so excited to share this conversation I had with someone who has mastered the art of using pain as a way to better himself: David Goggins. David Goggins is a retired Navy SEAL and is the only member of the U.S. Armed Forces to complete SEAL training (including two Hell Weeks), the U.S. Army Ranger School (where he graduated as Enlisted Honor Man) and Air Force Tactical Air Controller training. David is indisputably one of the world’s best endurance athletes. He has completed over 60 endurance races, regularly placing in the top five and taken home first place several times. David says that if don’t give yourself a way out, you

IT'S TIME TO GET THE ROOT OF YOUR HEALTH PROBLEMS. Are you constantly feeling like crap? You don’t need to live like that. The food that you put in your body has a lot to do with how well you function. Your body is incredible in how it can heal itself when you change your habits. Not only do we need to work on our personal health, but we also need to be aware of how our country’s policies affect our nation’s health. That’s why I’m sharing part of a conversation I had with a leading health expert who is working to transform the healthcare system: Dr. Mark Hyman. Dr. Mark Hyman is the Medical Director at Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Functional Medicine, the Founder of The UltraWellness Center, and a ten-time #1 New York Times Bestselling author. He is dedicated to tackling the root causes of chronic disease by harnessing the power of Functional Medicine to transform healthcare. Dr. Hyman says that the science of healthy eating is the same no matter what eating program you follow. The important thing is to impl

THE KEY TO LIFE IS RELATIONSHIPS. Life’s an enrollment game. You’re either signing people up or pushing them away. The more you can learn about how the human mind works, the more you can be aware of how your actions influence others. It’s so much more than just the words that you speak. The energy that you bring into a room and the attitude you have towards life has a huge effect on the people around you. That’s why I’m so excited to share this conversation I had with an expert on human nature and the art of seduction: Robert Greene. Robert Greene is an American author and speaker known for his books on strategy, power, and seduction. He has written five international bestsellers: The 48 Laws of Power, The Art of Seduction, The 33 Strategies of War, and The 50th Law and Mastery. Robert says that you have to understand human nature in order to get people to follow you. He argues that how you interact with others determines how far you will get in life. Are you enrolling people in your vision? Or are you showin

TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR MONEY, TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR LIFE. Talking about money can be hard. Most people would rather talk about dying than money. It’s important to come up with a game plan. When you get organized with your finances, the stress starts to go away. Both high earners and people struggling with debt both need to be educated about money management. It’s not as complicated as you think. That’s why I’m excited to share this interview with a money guru who helped me get out of debt when I was younger: Rami Sathi. Ramit Sethi is a New York Times bestselling author of I Will Teach You To Be Rich and founder of GrowthLab.com. He studied technology and psychology at Stanford and has helped over a million people live a “Rich Life.” Ramit shares tools and strategies to make the most out of your money no matter how much you make. He argues that you can buy as many lattes as you want and still be financially successful by focusing on the bigger picture. Listen to Episode 712 to what to do with your money if you’r

MARKETING IS MORE THAN A LOGO. If your struggling in an area of your life, it could be due to marketing. Marketing isn’t just important in your business. It’s in every area of your life. Everything you do is designed to attract or repel others. The way that you’re telling your story and selling yourself has a lot to do with who is willing to get on board. That’s why I wanted to bring back a conversation I had on The School of Greatness with a master marketer: Joe Polish. Joe Polish is the founder of Genius Network® and co-founder of the popular podcast ILoveMarketing.com. Joe’s marketing expertise has been utilized to build thousands of businesses and has generated hundreds of millions of dollars for his clients, ranging from large corporations to small family-owned businesses. Joe has helped raise over $3 million for Virgin Unite, Sir Richard Branson’s foundation. His current passion projects include JoeVolunteer.com, ArtistsForAddicts.com, and GeniusRecovery.com. Joe’s mission is to help change the global c

ROCK BOTTOM IS JUST THE BEGINNING. Look at where you are right now. Are you at the bottom? Are you at a plateau but feel like you’re not moving? Everything you’ve done so far is the foundation for where you’re going next. It’s never too late. You never have too much stacked against you. That’s why I’m so grateful to share a Q+A from this year’s Summit of Greatness with a good friend and powerful speaker: Eric Thomas the Hip Hop Teacher. Eric Thomas AKA “ET the Hip Hop Teacher,” is a critically acclaimed author, speaker, educator, pastor, and audible.com Audie Awards Finalist. As CEO of his Consulting Firm, ETA LLC., Eric has led his team through the doors of dozens of reputable organizations and Fortune 500 companies such as General Electric, Quicken Loans, AT&T, Nike, Under Armour, New Balance, and UPS. He has also consulted for major Universities and the major sports teams within the MLB, NBA, NFL, and MLS. He was formerly homeless on the streets of Detroit but went on to get his Ph.D. Eric is an examp

SOMETIME SAVING SOMEONE ELSE WILL SAVE YOU. Even the most successful people can struggle with self-esteem. You won’t be able to share your gifts with the world if you don’t feel worthy. Often, finding a cause we believe in can cause us to figure out who we are and what we stand for. Be empowered to make a choice you believe in. That’s why I am so grateful to share a conversation I had with an actress who has found meaning by taking a stand on Animal Rights: Alicia Silverstone. Alicia Silverstone is an actress, entrepreneur, New York Times bestselling author, and animal rights advocate. She’s started acting at an early age. She is known for starring as Cher in the comedy hit Clueless, and Batgirl in Batman and Robin, and she currently stars in the TV show American Woman. She’s written The Kind Diet: A Simple Guide to Feeling Great, Losing Weight, and Saving the Planet and The Kind Mamma. In 2004, Alicia was named PETA's "Sexiest Female Vegetarian.” Alicia shared how becoming famous at such a young age cha

SET YOURSELF UP FOR SUCCESS. In football, we had systems for exercise, nutrition, plays, and practice. If the system worked, we won championships. The same works for addiction. You have to have a system in place to help you overcome it. You can’t just hope that you’ll make the right decision when you’re faced with it. It all starts in the morning. Meditation, gratitude, and breathing can help you get in the right mindset. Program your day. We all have addictions we want to end. That’s why I’m sharing some key points from a conversation I had with the co-author of the book The 30-Day Sobriety Solution: How to Cut Back or Quit Drinking in the Privacy of Your Own Home: Jack Canfield. Jack Canfield is an award-winning speaker and an internationally recognized leader in personal development and peak performance strategies. He is the creator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series and author of over 150 books. In 2014, SUCCESS magazine named him “One of the Most Influential Leaders in Personal Growth and Achievemen

FIND THE WINNING BALANCE. You hear so often that people get to the top of the mountain and realize that the summit isn’t the answer. To be a champion, you have to know that there is so much more to success than a final outcome. If you focus on the goal without being connected to your joy and larger purpose, you will get burnt out. But when you’re coming from a place of passion, the results will fall into place. To explore this topic further, I gathered parts of conversations with four world-class champions who’ve visited The School of Greatness in the past: Julianne Hough, Ray Lewis, Shawn Johnson, and Novak Djokovic. Julianne Hough is a two-time winner of ABC’s Dancing with Stars and now sits as a judge on the show. She’s one an Emmy for Outstanding Choreography and has appeared in many movies and TV productions like Footloose (2011) and Grease Live on Fox. Ray Lewis is a former NFL linebacker. He is a two-time Defensive Player of the Year, Super Bowl MVP and played his entire 17-year career with the Baltimo

WORK ON YOURSELF FIRST, THEN SHARE YOUR LIGHT. Every athlete needs an offseason. They need time to train in different ways to strengthen their mind and body for a new year. The more you work on yourself, the more you’ll be able to give. Give your mind, your heart, and your soul the nurturing it needs to grow. That’s why I was so excited to speak with an artist who is on a journey to find inner peace in order to share his gifts: Mike Posner. Mike Posner is a singer-songwriter, poet, and record producer. Mike has co-written amazing hit songs like “Sugar” by Maroon 5, “Boyfriend” by Justin Bieber, and “Beneath Your Beautiful” by Labrinth. His debut album 31 Minutes to Takeoff includes the US Billboard Hot 100 singles “Cooler than Me” and “Please Don’t Go.” His 2017 book Tear Drops & Balloons is his first book of poetry. Mike has been through a lot of loss in recent years, and he uses it all to make music and poetry. Learn about Mike Posner’s journey and hear some of his new songs on Episode 706. Some Questio